Japan team evaluates battery-assisted low-cost hydrogen production from solar energy

Researchers from Japan’s NIMS (National Institute for Materials Science), the University of Tokyo and Hiroshima University have jointly conducted a techno-economic analysis for hydrogen production from photovoltaic power generation (PV) utilizing a battery-assisted electrolyzer. The results from this study suggested a cost of hydrogen as low as ¥17 to ¥27/Nm 3 (US$0.16 – $0.25) using a combination of technologies and the achievement of ambitious individual cost targets for batteries, PV, and electrolyzers. This approximately converts to US$1.92 to US$3.00/kg of hydrogen, with 1 kg H 2 equal to about 12 Nm 3 of hydrogen. For comparison, the US DOE’s 2020 target for the levelized cost of hydrogen (production only) is $2.30/kg. The findings are published in a paper in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy . The joint research team designed an integrated system capable of adjusting the amount of battery charge/discharge and the amount of electrolysis hydrogen production […]